KOTA KINABALU: A Filipino who robbed a trader of a wallet and cash was jailed for seven years and ordered to be given one stroke of the rattan by the Sessions Court here.
Jamal Ismail, 37, pleaded guilty before judge Ismail Brahim to robbing the 62-year-old man of a cellphone and a wallet which contained a MyKad, a driving license, credit cards and RM1,200 at a building near an ATM machine in Inanam township on October 12, 2012.
The undefended accused decided to change his plea of not guilty to one of guilty when the case came up for fresh trial yesterday.
He was charged under Section 395 of the Penal Code punishable with 397 of the same Code which carries a maximum jail of 20 years and also liable to whipping upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Nartiah F Mirchelle Sambatan told the court that the accused was arrested on the same day and during an identification parade, the victim confirmed that he was the one who had robbed him.
She said that the accused had three previous convictions for illegal entry to the State, minor offence and consuming drug.
The court ordered the accused to serve his jail term from the date of his arrest on October 12, 2012.